Pneumatic gold-separator.



PATENTED OCT. 11, 1904.

W. BROADBENT. PNEUMATIC GOLD SEPARATOR.

APPLICATION SILED JAN. 23, 1904. N0 MODEL. 5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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W. BROADBENT PNEUMATIC GOLD SEPARATOR.

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' W. BROA'DBENT.

PNEUMATIC GOLD SEPARATOR. APPLICATION PI??? JAN. 23, 1904.

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PATENTED OCT. 11, 1904.

No. 771,857.- W. BROADBENT.

PNEUMATIC GOLD SEPARATOR.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. '23, 1904.

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fiz'zkesses UNITED STATES Patented October 11, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

PNEUMATIC GOLD-SEPARATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 771,857, dated October11, 1904:. Application filed January 23, 1904. Serial No. 190,412. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM BROADBENT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Salt Lake City, Salt Lake county, State of Utah, haveinvented a new and useful Machine for Separating Gold from Sand or otherMaterial by Mechanical Means and with the Use of but Little Water, ofwhich the following is a specification.

The method of saving gold by bringing it in contact with mercury is wellknown. The saving of gold by agitation in water by sluicing, by rockers,by jigs, and in pans are all old; but the combination of all those oldmethods in one light, cheap, and easily-moved machine using but littlewater, together with the novel method of agitation by air impulses asapplied to placer-gold, is the purpose of this invention; and I dodeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

Similar letters of reference refer to like parts through the severalviews.

I have fully and clearly illustrated my invention in the accompanyingdrawings, where- 1n Figure 1 represents exterior side view elevation.Fig. 2 represents a vertical longitudinal section on plane of line 9 qof Fig. 3. Fig. 3 represents a front view, partly in section, on line w00 in Fig. 1 and line'g y in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 represents a plan viewlooking down. Fig. 5 represents enlarged detail of air-pump, side view.Fig. 6 represents a detail vertical view of air-pump, in section, online a a of Fig. Fig. 7 represents an enlarged detail vertical view oftransverse section on line a z of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 represents detail viewof spiral agitator and conveyer X. Fig. 9 represents an enlarged detailview of gold-pocket I. Fig. 10 represents an enlarged detail verticalsection of gold-pocket I on line a :0, Fig. 1, and line y y, Fig. 4,showing locked nut 2'.

Supported by a framework A and braces E and D is a tank F, built ofsuitable material, rectangular in form in horizontal section andtriangular in vertical longitudinal section, with threaded tap-off plugs1' 2' in the cylinder-formed bottom, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 4, towhich is detachably secured near the bottom and one on either side twoconicallyshaped casings H and R, containing the conveyer-agitators X X.(See Fig. 3.) The conically-shaped casings H and" R are each providedwith removable heads 0 0' and stuffing-box 0 0 and also carryingjournal-brackets J J, which carry shaft S, to which casings H and R atthe top and near the larger diameter of said casings are securedfeed-tubes G T. Opposite and on the lower side of said casingsare-secured gold-pockets I I, with tapofi plugs a" with pivoted levers i2' with lock-pins '2: 2 as shown in Figs. 3, 9, and 10.

Surmounting the tank and framework hereinbefore mentioned and pivoted tosaid framework by pivot b is a yoke B, supported upon frame A byuprights C G and Wedges w w, as shown in Fig. 1, which yoke B supportsand carries driving-shaft a, working in bearings a and upperelevator-shaft 6, working in bearings 12 6 as shown in Fig. 4.

Motion is imparted to the machine by power applied to driving-shaft athrough drivewheel N and regulated by balance-wheel 0. (See Fig. 4.) Ondriving-shaft a is a pinion M, which engages spur-gear L, which isfirmly secured to upper elevator-shaft I), which also carries securedthereto sprocket-wheels c 0, (see Fig. 2,) said sprocket-wheels carryingbucket-chains 0 0 and imparting motion thereto. The bucket-chains 0 0are tightened or loosened by moving yoke B up or down upon pivot b byinserting or removing wedges w w,

to the links of which chains 0 0 are secured perforated buckets m mm,&c. Within the lower extremity of bucket-chains 0 0 are inclosed similarsprocket-wheels 0 c firmly secured to shaft S, to which shaft S motionis imparted by chains 0 0, which shaft S, supported by bearings 0 0 uponbrackets J J also carries adjustably secured thereon two conveyer-agitators X X. Conveyer-agitator U works within casing R and Xwithin casing H. They are constructed alike except that on U the bladesare disposed spirally to the right, while the blades on X are disposedspirally to the left of a plane or m, as shown in Fig. 1. A collarprovided with spurs or spokes 71 it h, &c., and one with shorter spokes7L2 7&2 [L2, &c., are adjustably secured to shaft S by set-screws 76 70which construction permits adjustment of conveyer-agitators X and Xlaterally on said shaft S as well as the angle of the spiral contour offeed-blades h, &c. At the end opposite drive-wheel N upon the sh aft ais firmly secured slotted crank CZ, (see Fig. 4,) within the slot ofwhich is adjustably secured a studpin a, which stud-pin a is inclosed byone end of rod 0. The other end of rod by pivot is connected to theupper end of diaphragm f of air-pump K, working on pivot f. (See Figs.and 6.) Secured to opposite sides of diaphragm f is the bellows ofair-pump K. The fixed walls of air-pump K are provided on one side withingress-ports e o and on the other with ingress-ports e o and eachprovided with valves to prevent egress of air. Similar ports '0 e" if care provided in the fixed walls of the said bellows of air-pump K, butlocated within air-chambers g at either end of said air-pump K, servingas egress ports, provided with valves to prevent the return of airexpelled by movement of diaphragm f Secured to air-pump K at opening gis air-pipe as shown in Figs. 5 and 4. -The other end of air-pipe isconnected to and enters into gold-pocket I near the bottom of easing H(see Figs. I, 3, 1, and 10) and terminates near the bottom ofgold-pocket I directly over threaded tap-01f plug 11, which threadedtap-ofl plug a" is fitted with lever Secured to air-pump K at opening(see Fig. 6) is air-pipe g as shown in Fig. 4. The other end of air-pipeg"is connected to and enters into gold-pocket I near the bottom ofcasing R and terminates near the bottom of said gold-pocket I in thesame manner as shown in Fig. 10.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The 'tank F, casings H andR, and feed-tubes Gr and T are partially filled with water, (motionhaving been imparted to the machine.) Suitably-sized gold-bearingmaterial is then fed at a proper rate into feed-tubes G and T,

I which material is thoroughly agitated by blades 71.3 It k &c., and thegold by its superior gravity tends to settle into the lowest point ofgold-pockets I I. The size of the gold particles in a given character ofore will determine the rate of feed, as well as the spiral angle of theblades k 620. By reason of the incline position of the casings H and Rgold particles tend to gravitate toward goldpockets I I. Now to preventstratification in said gold-pockets and to permit gold to find thelowest point possible is the office of the air-bubbles, displacing thepulp in their rise, thus affording a secure hiding-place for any goldthat may enter the said pockets, which tendency is greatly augmented bythe series of air impulses accompanied by air-bubbles from the action ofthe air-pump used in connection therewith and the manner in which saidair-bubbles are injected. I/Vith a given rate of feed to thegold-bearing material the greater the angle given to the spiral blades7&

/L3, &c., the more rapid the tendency of conveyance to the pulp throughcasings H and Rand the less time given to agitation. The amount ofagitation in gold-pockets I I is determined by the air impulses giventhrough air-pipes g and The contents of gold-pockets I I are alternatelyat rest and in upward and downward motion, thus preventing thestratification of the material in said pockets and lower parts ofcasings H and R and permitting the settling of the gold in pockets I Iand below the discharge of air-pipe Any suitable means'for forcing airby puffs into gold-pockets I I will answer, so that each side isindependent of the other. The bellows-pump shown is one form that may beused. The amount of air required to cause the agitation desired ingold-poekets I I is regulated by the length of stroke of rod 0 which isdetermined by the adjustable stud-pin (Z. The manner in which air-pipesare placed in goldpocketsI 1, giving a downward impulse to airbubbleswhen forced out of air-pipes and g", prevents particles of material fromclogging said air-pipes, and the air in each pipe being actuatedindependently of the other allows the proper amount of air impulses toeither side should one get out of fix. Should either side in any waybecome stopped, the air, actuated independently as it is, from the otherside would be compressed until the stoppage was removed and not effectin any way the other side. The air discharging downwardly and near thebottom of gold-pockets I I does not agitate the separated gold, but doesagitate all pulp above that point as it escapes to the surface of thewater in feed-tubes G and T. Should any particles of gold escape fromthe gold-pockets I and 1 and be carried up the incline bottoms ofcasings H and R and fall'into tank F with the tailings, it is againagitated by the movement of perforated buckets m m, &c., and caught in abath of mercury that may be used when desired in the cylindrical part oftank F and removed when desired with the mercury through threadedtap-off plugs 2' and 11". i

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates 1. The combination with the tank of two side casings withfeed-openings therein, a depression provided with an opening and closuretherefor in the bottom of each side casing, a shaft extending throughthe side casings and tank carrying adjustable conveyerblades within theside casings, sprocket-wheels on said shaft for driving it from a secondshaft, and carrying perforated buckets, and

means for delivering short puffs of air within the side openings nearthe bottom of the depressions.

2. The combination of a tank of two frustoconical casings withfeed-openings therein, a depression provided with an opening and closuretherefor in the bottom of each side casing, a shaft extending throughthe side casings and tank, carrying adjustable conveyeragitators withinthe frusto-conical casings, sprocket-wheels on said shaft for driving itfrom a second shaft, and means for delivering short puffs of air withinthe depressions in said frusto-conical casings and near the bottom ofthe depressions.

3. The combination with a tank of two side casings with feed-openingstherein, a depression provided with an opening and a closure therefor inthe bottom of each side casing, a shaft extending through the sidecasings and tank carrying conveyer-blades within the side casings,sprocket wheels on said shaft for driving it from a second shaft, andmeans for delivering short puflfs of air Within the side openings nearthe bottom of the depressions.

4. The combination of frusto-conical casings secured to a tank, of ashaft carrying adjustable conveyer-agitators within the casings, alsocarrying sprocketwheels, chains, and perforated buckets within the tank,with means for forcing short puffs of air into the casings near thebottom thereof.

5. The combination with a tank with cylindrically-formed bottom, of twoside casings with feed-openings therein, a gold pocket provided with anopening and closure therefor in the bottom of each side casing, a shaftextending through the side casings and tank, carrying adjustableconveyer-blades within the side casings, sprocket-wheels on said shaftfor driving it from a second shaft, and carrying perforated buckets, andmeans for delivering short puffs of air within said openings near thebottom of the depressions to each of said casings, each side actingindependently of the other.

6. The combination of a tank of two frustoconical casings withfeed-openings therein, a depression provided with an opening and closuretherefor in the bottom of each side casing, and stufling-boxes attachedto or integral therewith, a shaft extending through the side casings andtank carryingadjustable conveyeragitators within the frusto-conicalcasings, sprocket-Wheels on said shaft for driving it from asecond shaftand means for delivering short puffs of air within the depressions insaid frusto-conical casings and near the bottom of the depressions.v

7 The combination with two frusto-conical casings, of a shaft carryingconveyer-agitators within the casings, and means for forcing short puffsof air into the casings nearthe bottom thereof.

WILLIAM BROADBENT.

Witnesses:

WM. R. HALL, H. O. HEALY.

